Question

which comparison of beowulf and grendel is most accurate?
grendel is characterized as sensitive in the poem, but he is characterized as cruel in the novel.
both the poem and the novel are all about grendel; he is the main character in both stories.
in the poem, grendel seems like a heartless monster, but in the novel he is emotionally complex.
the poem and the novel are very similar, and both characterize grendel in the same way.

Explanation:

In the Beowulf poem, Grendel is presented as a menacing, heartless monster. However, in John Gardner's Grendel novel, Grendel is given more depth. He is shown to have emotions, thoughts, and a sense of his own place in the world, making him emotionally complex.

• The first option is incorrect because in the poem Grendel is not characterized as sensitive.
• The second option is wrong as the Beowulf poem is mainly about Beowulf, not Grendel.
• The fourth option is incorrect as the poem and the novel do not characterize Grendel in the same way.

Answer:

In the poem, Grendel seems like a heartless monster, but in the novel he is emotionally complex.